First pitch: Everything you need to know from the week in MLB

Welcome to theScore's roundup of everything you need to know from around MLB. Here, we'll touch on the week's notable storylines, biggest trends, most shocking plays, and other cool things. Let's dive in!

What everyone's talking about 👇

Pete Rose ban lifted: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred removed Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, and other deceased players from the permanently ineligible list, allowing them an opportunity to be considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Read more ...

Orioles fire Brandon Hyde: Baltimore relieved the 2023 American League Manager of the Year of his duties amid a catastrophically poor start to the season. The club isn't pitching well, has come up short with runners in scoring position, and their offseason additions have flopped. Read more ...

Juan Soto returns to Bronx: The Yankee faithful welcomed Soto back to their stadium with a ferocious chorus of boos in his first appearance since signing a 15-year, $765-million contract with the Mets. He took it in stride, saluting the crowd with his helmet. Read more ...

Who's hot? 🔥

Shohei Ohtani: The Dodgers star is 21-for-59 with eight homers, 19 RBIs and a .864 slugging percentage over his last 14 games.

Minnesota Twins: What a stretch it's been for the Twins. Sunday's loss ended an incredible 13-game win streak, during which their pitchers led them to three straight shutout victories.

Will Benson: The outfielder has been a monster since the Reds recalled him from the minors. He's crushed five home runs in his last four contests and has an inhuman 1.077 slugging percentage in eight games.

Who's not? 🥶

Aaron Nola: The righty recently got knocked around by the St. Louis Cardinals in a career-worst start that ballooned his ERA to 6.16. Currently on the injured list, Nola is 1-7 on the year and on pace to set career-worst marks in ERA, FIP, WHIP, and home runs allowed.

Bryan Reynolds: The Pirates are bad, and Reynolds isn't helping. The usually dependable two-time All-Star is slashing .150/.227/.300 with three hits and six strikeouts in his last 20 at-bats.

Kristian Campbell: A 22-year-old is bound to have some growing pains, and the Red Sox infielder is feeling the burn lately. Campbell owns a .281 OPS with eight strikeouts in his last five games.

Player who deserves more attention 🔎

Cardinals reliever Kyle Leahy has become a shutdown option for manager Oliver Marmol. The right-hander owns the fifth-lowest ERA (1.01) among relievers with at least 20 innings pitched while holding opposing hitters to a .125 average. He's owned in 10% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues.

You love to see it 😍

Pirates utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a home run in New York the same day he met the son of Hall-of-Fame slugger Ralph Kiner, with whom he shares a family connection and part of his last name.

The Red Sox channeled the color scheme of Fenway Park's iconic Green Monster for their new City Connect uniforms.

Bowden Francis, Kevin Gausman, and Ben Rortvedt gave everyone a laugh with a nearly 10-minute standoff following the national anthems ahead of a Blue Jays-Rays game in Toronto.

We can't believe this happened 🤯

Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu jumped at the wall trying to rob a home run, deflecting the ball back into play, where Ceddanne Rafaela waited to make the catch.

Braves outfielder Michael Harris II ran down a ball in center field that he had no business catching, and somehow stayed on his feet as he crashed into the wall with his glove hand outstretched.

A raccoon was on the run in the bleachers at Citi Field, giving Mets fans a surprise.

The Nationals went to X to take a shot at their rivals in Baltimore following a three-game sweep.

Sound smart among your friends 🧠

With his three-homer, eight-RBI game Friday, Giants first baseman Wilmer Flores became just the second player since 1920 to drive in at least 80% of the runs in a contest (minimum 10 total), per OptaSTATS.

They said what? 🗣️

Yankees' Trent Grisham attributes success to new mindset: "I was thinking like crap for a few years and playing like crap."

Rangers' Jake Burger believes the pope has his back: "New pope, new me. Leo is a Midwestern guy like me, and since he's been elected pope, we've been pretty hot as a team. He's also a White Sox fan, and I'd like to think maybe he didn't like the trade (that sent Burger from Chicago to Texas), so he put in a little blessing for me."

Cardinals' Willson Contreras has no fear on the field: "I don't care. I'm not afraid. If I'm gonna die, I'll die right there."

Brewers manager Pat Murphy on staying even-keeled: "When you're lower than whale poop, it is really hard to get yourself in the moment."

What to watch this week 📺

Dodgers host D-Backs: These NL West rivals prepare for Round 2 after their last series produced fireworks. All-Star Ketel Marte is back in the fold to give Arizona some reinforcements.

Padres square off with Braves: San Diego swept the four-game series between these two teams to kick off the season. Atlanta is playing better now and will be looking for revenge. Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. might be back, too.